Review: Sanyo Taho

The Taho can download the simplest applications via Sprint's online portal. The apps available include things such as games, organizers, etc. Discoverability is a mess, and every step requires a page refresh — which takes anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. It's more infuriating than anything else. The categories don't generally match their contents, and there's a lot of redundancy. For example, one ringtone appeared under "What's Hot," "What's New," and "Ringtones." How is that helpful?

Bluetooth

The Taho supports mono Bluetooth headsets and a few other profiles. Pairing was no problem, and call quality via mono headsets was good. Pairing with other phones to push contact data or photos was also a snap. I had no issues in testing out the Bluetooth at all.

Clock

The clock on the external display is great for checking the time. It fills almost the entire display with a large digital clock that's viewable even out in the sun. This clock can't be changed. The clock that appears on the homescreen can be customized in a number of different ways, including large/small digital, large/small analog, world clock, and several different calendar views. The clock is always white, so choose your wallpaper carefully.

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GPS

The Taho has aGPS on board and Sprint's free mapping and navigation software. It works, but just barely. Because the device is so slow to connect to the cellular network, maps took ages to load, and using it as a real-time turn-by-turn navigation device could be problematic, especially in a dense city where blocks take but a few seconds to drive down. I would say that the Taho's aGPS capabilities will be best put to use out on the trail, where "turns" come at you more slowly.